Looking to install an autopilot

[Brad Gielissen]

Hi,

I am looking for some advice/help. Just purchased a 2001 Hunter 460. The boat has never had autopilot installed. I am looking to purchase a used unit and install it myself and was looking for someone with the same model that could share some information and pic of their unit. Thanks is advance.

Brad

 

[kappykaplan]

While I don't have a Hunter, I did convert from a RayMarine wheel pilot to a type 1 linear drive, which is most likely appropriate for your boat. Good luck.

 

[markwbird]

460 is getting a bit too big for a wheel pilot. Probably need to go with a below decks autopilot.

 

[kappykaplan]

460 is getting a bit too big for a wheel pilot. Probably need to go with a below decks autopilot.

The RM type 1 linear drive is a below decks autopilot.

 

[smokey73]

I have a 1994 Hunter 40.5 and converted from a Raymarine wheel pilot to a ACU 200 with a Rotary Drive that is housed inside of the wheel binnacle. Not sure how you Hunter is designed but the 40.5 was originally designed to accept the Rotary Drive and it was a snap to install. I am very happy with the drive. I know linear drives are also popular but for me the Rotary Drive was a no brainer. Not sure what they did in 2001 for your particular Hunter. If you can access the binnacle top (my cup holder pulls out) you can check to see if yours is set up for this. If so ,you'll see about 1 foot or so below where the wheel shaft protrudes out a small bracket (a shelf about 2 inches by 6 inches) with two 1/2 inch studs protruding up where the rotary motor sits. This bracket is very sturdy. The drive turns the wheel through sprockets and a chain drive. For your size boat you'll need a Type 2 Rotary drive. If its not already set up for a rotary drive then you are probably better going with a linear drive.

 

[Brad Gielissen]

460 is getting a bit too big for a wheel pilot. Probably need to go with a below decks autopilot.

BELOW DECK IS WHERE I WANT TO GO...

 

[Brad Gielissen]

I have a 1994 Hunter 40.5 and converted from a Raymarine wheel pilot to a ACU 200 with a Rotary Drive that is housed inside of the wheel binnacle. Not sure how you Hunter is designed but the 40.5 was originally designed to accept the Rotary Drive and it was a snap to install. I am very happy with the drive. I know linear drives are also popular but for me the Rotary Drive was a no brainer. Not sure what they did in 2001 for your particular Hunter. If you can access the binnacle top (my cup holder pulls out) you can check to see if yours is set up for this. If so ,you'll see about 1 foot or so below where the wheel shaft protrudes out a small bracket (a shelf about 2 inches by 6 inches) with two 1/2 inch studs protruding up where the rotary motor sits. This bracket is very sturdy. The drive turns the wheel through sprockets and a chain drive. For your size boat you'll need a Type 2 Rotary drive. If its not already set up for a rotary drive then you are probably better going with a linear drive.

THANKS FOR THE INSIGHT.. I WILL TAKE A LOOK AND SEE IF I HAVE THE SAME SET UP.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Brad, please turn the CAPS off. In internet etiquette it is like yelling.

Don't buy used. Why? The electronics will be outdated and usually supported for a lot shorter time. Plus, in this case, unlike VHF radios and GPSs, the technology has actually improved rapidly in the past year or two.

Good luck.

 

[seadaddler]

Contact hunter and they maybe able to help like they did
with photo's of the install below deck auto for my 2007 H-36

 

[woodster]

stu that is good advice on buying new ...i will suggest that one can buy a used mechanical mechanism for the rudder and new electronics package for the most current electronics

 

[Brad Gielissen]

I have a 1994 Hunter 40.5 and converted from a Raymarine wheel pilot to a ACU 200 with a Rotary Drive that is housed inside of the wheel binnacle. Not sure how you Hunter is designed but the 40.5 was originally designed to accept the Rotary Drive and it was a snap to install. I am very happy with the drive. I know linear drives are also popular but for me the Rotary Drive was a no brainer. Not sure what they did in 2001 for your particular Hunter. If you can access the binnacle top (my cup holder pulls out) you can check to see if yours is set up for this. If so ,you'll see about 1 foot or so below where the wheel shaft protrudes out a small bracket (a shelf about 2 inches by 6 inches) with two 1/2 inch studs protruding up where the rotary motor sits. This bracket is very sturdy. The drive turns the wheel through sprockets and a chain drive. For your size boat you'll need a Type 2 Rotary drive. If its not already set up for a rotary drive then you are probably better going with a linear drive.

OKAY.. I LOOK WHERE YOU TOLD ME TOO AND SURE ENOUGH, I HAVE A SHAFT WITH A KEY WAY. IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE REFERRING TOO?

 

[smokey73]

OKAY.. I LOOK WHERE YOU TOLD ME TOO AND SURE ENOUGH, I HAVE A SHAFT WITH A KEY WAY. IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE REFERRING TOO?

Brad, that's part of it. A large (for me 28 tooth Stainless Steel Sprocket) goes on that shaft. However, the more important thing is if there is a bracket located about 1 to 2 feet directly below that shaft with two threaded studs pointing up that would be where the rotary drive mounts? There is a link to a picture from Rich Stidger at the end of this post that shows the rotary drive installed in a Hunter 40.5 (looking down into the binnacle from above). If you look closely at the front (left) of the rotary drive you'll see where there is a bracket on the rotary drive that attaches to the bracket that is factory installed in these model Hunters. It is a flat piece of heavy duty metal (about 2 inches by 8 inches) with two threaded studs sticking up. The front bracket on the Rotary Drive sets onto this metal plate and is attached with nuts onto the studs. You need a very strong attachment point for either the rotary drive or the linear drive. We were fortunate that the bracket to attach the rotary drive was factory installed on the Hunter 40.5 - maybe it is on your's too? If not it may be better to go with the linear drive instead of the rotary drive as I don't know how you'd make or attach a robust enough mounting point for the rotary drive. Feel free to send me a pm and we can set up to talk if you need to. Here is the link to the posting where Rich had the picture. It is about half way down the pics

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=43&aid=7293&mn=40.5

 

[Brad Gielissen]

Brad, that's part of it. A large (for me 28 tooth Stainless Steel Sprocket) goes on that shaft. However, the more important thing is if there is a bracket located about 1 to 2 feet directly below that shaft with two threaded studs pointing up that would be where the rotary drive mounts? There is a link to a picture from Rich Stidger at the end of this post that shows the rotary drive installed in a Hunter 40.5 (looking down into the binnacle from above). If you look closely at the front (left) of the rotary drive you'll see where there is a bracket on the rotary drive that attaches to the bracket that is factory installed in these model Hunters. It is a flat piece of heavy duty metal (about 2 inches by 8 inches) with two threaded studs sticking up. The front bracket on the Rotary Drive sets onto this metal plate and is attached with nuts onto the studs. You need a very strong attachment point for either the rotary drive or the linear drive. We were fortunate that the bracket to attach the rotary drive was factory installed on the Hunter 40.5 - maybe it is on your's too? If not it may be better to go with the linear drive instead of the rotary drive as I don't know how you'd make or attach a robust enough mounting point for the rotary drive. Feel free to send me a pm and we can set up to talk if you need to. Here is the link to the posting where Rich had the picture. It is about half way down the pics

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=43&aid=7293&mn=40.5

Thanks for all the help. In inspecting my helm area I have the keyed shaft but no mounting brackets. Leads me to think that the helm could be used on different sized boats and perhaps the mounts were left out for a reason (my boat is too large). Hopefully someone with a like size can give me some help.

Thanks again for the great help.....